THE outburst (LET, March 26) by Great Harwood chairman Bill Holden aimed at woman referees officiating in soccer leagues was, I feel, over the top.

Surely it's not the gender of the official that is the problem, but whether the referee and his or her assistants can keep discipline and applying the rules.

Mr Holden fails to keep in perspective the never-ending list of complaints by managers, chairmen and spectators, levelled at the male counterparts in soccer, who in their eyes can do little right, unless it favours their team.

He asks: "Why should a woman get a chance over a woman?" They shouldn't -- if they can't do the job. But if they are capable, I say good luck to them.

K SOWERBUTTS, Southwood Drive, Baxenden.